I must not be "normal"....I've had some wicked chills all day so it was leftover lentil soup for me. Robert went out to pick up a takeout order from a nearby Mexican restaurant.

..Asking me for a recipe isn't usually something I can help with. But I'll try! And I know that I said orzo but I MEANT coucous! But it sure would work with orzo. Fix 1 cup coucous and 1/2 cup red quinoi according to the directions on their labels. Be sure to rinse the quinoa first, and I prefer the red....it tastes nuttier to me. I cook both of them in chicken broth. This salad can be made just with quinoi, but I didn't want to scare my guests. :-) Veggies....to equal about two cups or more : chopped green onions, red bell pepper, english cuke, chick peas (rinsed and drained), halved cherry tomatoes. Use your favorite vinaigrette . I made a lemon dressing with quarter cup fresh lemon juice, quarter cup olive oil, two cloves minced garlic, chopped fresh oregano, sugar, S & P to taste, and a splash of balsamic or other vineger. I didn't use all of the dressing. Add it to the couscous and quinoi while still warm, cover, and chill. When ready to serve, stir and taste to add more dressing if necessary. I added a bit of lemon zest on top for serving and fresh mint from the garden .

Glenda, I've been in restaurants before when the tour bus pulls in. It's a madhouse trying to get everyone's order and food to them in a timely manner. I sure feel sorry for those waitresses/waiters, and hope the get nice tips. Shirley, I need to do that, too. I haven't found a new cleaning service yet, so I'm trying to do just the basics. Enough to keep the health dept. away :-) You had a great-sounding dinner, BTW! Sweet Betsy, do you put beans in your chili? I used to but one day I didn't have any and I never went back to adding them. Orchidllauraga, I just love Stouffer's lasagna. I bought one because I'd heard they were good and swore I'd never make my own again. The LSU/Bama game is probably the game of the year. Sorry, but don't count on LSU winning. Alabama is on like a 5 or 6 year roll! Seagrass, LOL! But that really is a hubby loving meal. I wouldn't mind it myself. Marilyn, beware! We built a huge garage/workshop/man cave when we lived in OT. It took Harry about one week to fill it up until there was no longer room for the car. He even built a loft to hold the spill over. All that stuff had been lurking in the attic. You're nice to fix him his favorites. That happens to be MY favorite, too :-) In fact, that's what I requested every year for my birthday meal (only we call them noodles). Sue, you sure can't beat the price of that meal. I'd sure love a piece of that pie! Kittiemom, I haven't made black bean soup over rice for many years. Don't know why other than the fact my recipe is loaded with bacon. But it's sooo good! Bet it was good! Geez, Mary. You cleaned your house AND made a yummy dinner! You surely will sleep well tonight. Pam, oh boo! I'm sorry your GS's team lost. Glad you weren't cold, though. Patti, that sounds delicious. I didn't get my share of cookout food this summer, darn it! Bengardening, what a fun evening. Hope the evening is a success for the firemen and hope you win some big bucks!! Raven, now you know how to enjoy watching a football game, girl! Those mushrooms sound awesome.

Mary, Mary, Mary. What are we going to do with you? Hope you don't have a setback. Remember, you sure don't want to have that surgery a third time! Angelaid, I sure envy you your vacation. Hope you have a wonderful time. Nosy question--if you're going to Hawaii, whose going to eat all that food? Rhizo, I sure do love shrimp and grits. I want to thank you for your concern regarding my liquid diet. Both Boost and the Special K protein shakes are loaded with vitamins and minerals. I drink on an average of three a day along with soup and G2-type drinks. The doctors aren't concerned--as long as I'm gaining a little weight. Sue, I know you'll have a great birthday dinner for Amber. I can't wait to hear what all you made. Have a great day!